Hinge check



G. VUILLE.

HINGE CHECK.

APPLICATION men mmz. 1921.

Patented July 25, 1922;

3 SHEETSSHEET I- G. VUILLE.

HlNfiE CHECK. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2. 1921.

Patented July 25, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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WITNESSES A TTOR/VEYS G. VUILLE. I

HINGE CHECK.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 1921 1,423,784 Patented July 25, 1922.

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A TTOR/VEYS GEORGE VUILLE, 0E SHELBY, OHIO.

HINGE ormoK.

Specification of Letters Eatentf PaljBlltBfl July 25,

Application filed March 2, 1921. "Serial ll'o. 449,024.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Gnonon VUILLE, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of Shelby, in the county of Ri hlund and State of Ohiohaveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Hinge Checks, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to hinge checks for double swinging doors, and apurpose of my invention is the provision of a hinge check which isoperable to permit of the ready opening of the door in either direction,

maintaining the door in a 90 open position,

and automatically closing the door when moved from such angularposition. Furthermore, my invention prov-ides a hinge check whichincludes fluid control means for the closing ofthe door, such meansbeing operaole to e'ftectivel retard this closing action irrespective ofthe angle which the door occupies when it is released.

I will describe one form of hinge check embodying my invention and willthen point out the, novel features thereof in claims. 4

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view showing in side elevation a door frameand double swinging door having applied thereto one form of hinge checkembodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a view showing in side elevation a finish plate adapted tobe applied to the door for housing the hinge check.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the hinge checkshown in Figure 1 with the parts thereof in the proper positions whenthe door is in open position.

Figure t is a detailed perspective view of the stationary sleeveembodied in the hinge check shown in. Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 4;

showing the rotatable cam embodied in the hinge check. v

Figure 6 1s a view similar to Figure 5 showing the reciprocating camembodied in Figure 10 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line10-10 of Figure 3.

Similar reference characters refer to sinrilar parts in each of theseveral views.

Referring specifically to the drawings and particularly to Figure 8, thehinge check in its present embodiment comprises a floor plate P uponwhich is sustained a sleeve which th'readedly receives the lower end ofa barrel B. In superimposed relation with respect to the sleeve 55 is arotatable cam K, and" interposed between the confronting edges of thesleeve and ca m are roller beari-n'gs 15 mounted in raceways formed inthe edges of the sleeve and cam. The earn K is provided with laterallydisposed arms 1-6 that are adapted to be secured to the door so that thecam bodily rotates with the door when thelatter is swung to openposition in either direction. Arranged above the cam K is areciprocating cam K, the lower edge of the cam K and the upper edge ofthe cam K being so formed as to provide helical grooves '17 arranged inquadruple in oppositely disposed intersecting pairs, as shown in Figures5 and 6. Each grooved helix -extends through a quadrant to a point ofintersection to an adjacent helix, the twoadjacent helices being atopposite inclinations. The lower walls of the grooves on the upper edgesof' the cam K are at their upper point of intersection notched asindicated at 1'7 to provide a resting place for the lower point ofintersection of the upper walls of the grooves, the reciprocating cam Koccupying this position in the open po sition of the door whereby thedoor may be retained in. such open position. The upper edge of thereciprocating cam K is formed with an intersecting pair of helical camsur faces 1'8 which are adapted to be engaged by a roller 19 (Figure 1)adapted to 'be car'- ried by the door for restricting the upwardmovement of the camK. These cam sur faces 18 have their lower endsdisposed below the upper edge of the remaining portion of the ca m so asto provide shoulders 20 against which the roller 19 is adapted to abutwhen the door is in either of, its extreme positions.

As shown in Figure 3, the barrel B is loosely embraced by the cams K andK" and serve to sustain these cams in position to permit of theirreciprocating and rotary motions. Interiorly of the barrel B is arrangeda container C which is formed at its lower end with a threaded collar 21that has threaded engagement with the walls of a suitable opening formedin the floor plate P. As shown in Figure 7, this container C is formedofa main tubular section 22 and a top collar section 23 which isthreadedly associated with the main section and between which isinterposed a packing disc 24: that serves to hermetically seal the upperend of the container. Within the lower end of the container C ispositioned a pair of integrally formed cylinders D and D having theirlower or closed ends formed with a screw plug 25 which threadedlyengages the reduced end of tie container. The plug is formed with toolreceiving recesses 25 to permit of the rotation of the plug within thecontainer and to thereby effect a restricted vertical adjustment of thecylinders D and D for a purpose which will be hereinafter described. Asshown in Figure 8, the cylinders D and D are formed adjacent their lowerends with ports 26 and 26*, respectively, controlled by a cam valve 27.formed on the end of a screw threaded spindle 28 threadedly fitted inthe container in the manner clearly shown in Figures 7 and 9. Theseports 26 and 2-6 are in communication with a channel 29 formed on theperiphery of the casing including the cylinders D and D, such channel inturn effecting communication between the upper part of the container andthe ports so that with the valve 27 in open position any fluid containedin the cylinders will be free to pass into the container at a pointabove the cylinders. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cylinder D isformed intermediate its ends with a port 30 which communicates with achannel 31 that extends to the upper end of the cylinder and thus formscommunication between the upper part of the container and the cylinder Dfor a purpose which will be hereinafter described.

Adapted to work within the cylinders D and D are pistons T and T,respectively, formed on the lower ends of rods 32 and 33 which areslidably fitted within suitable openings formed in the collar section23. The rods in turn are rigidly connected to a guide plunger G which asshown in Figure 8 is slidably fitted within a thickened portion 33 ofthe barrel B. The upper end of the plunger G is formed with a head 34 ofreduced diameter that is adapted to fit within the lower end of thecoiled expansible spring 35 mounted within the upper portion of thebarrel B and confined therein by means of a screw plug 36. The plungeris bored transversely to receive a pin 37 which extends not only throughthe plunger but through elongated slots 38 formed in the barrel B asshown in Figures 8 and. 10. The opposite ends of the pin 37 are fixedwithin the reciprocating cam K so that when vertically moved, suchmovement will be imparted to the plunger G.

In the application of the hinge check to a door as shown in Figure 1,the inner edge of the door adjacent its lower end is recessed asindicated at 39 to accommodate the hinge check. The walls of this recessare covered by a metal strap 40 which carries the roller 19 and abearing pin 41 which works in a suitable recess 42 formed in the plug36. The lower end of the hinge check is secured to the floor by means ofa floor plate P, suitable fastening members Xtending through the platein the manner shown. The arm 16 is secured to the opposite sides of thedoor. while completely enclosing the hinge check is a housing H providedalong its vertical edges with ears that receive fastening members forsecuring it in housing position with respect to the hinge check. For theproper operation of the hinge check, the upper inner corner of the dooris provided with an angle plate 43 having a bearing 43 in which works abearing pin i-l carried by an angle plate 45 secured to the door casing.By this arrangement it will be seen that proper supporting means isformed for the upper end of the door to insure of the desired swingingmovement.

The operation of the hinge check is as follows lVith the door in theposition shown in Figure 1, the roller 19 is at the apex or point ofintersection of the cam surface 18, and when the door is swung in eitherdirection to open position the reciprocating cam K is moved upwardly otthe barrel B by virtue of the reaction of the walls of the helicalgrooves 17 of the cams K and K, the lower point of intersection of theupper walls of the grooves reposing within the recesses l7 when the doorhas reached a 90 position. By virtue of this upward movement of the camK, the guide plunger G is elevated against the tension of the spring 35so as to effect a corresponding movement of the pistons T and T. Thecontainer C is adapted to be partially filled with merrury so that uponupward movement of the pistons when opening the door such mercury willbe drawn into the cylinders through the ports 26 and 26 so that with thedoor in a 90 open position the cylinders are completely filled withmercury and the lower points of intersection of the upper walls of thegrooves 17 repose within the recesses 17 to temporarily maintain thedoor in open position. lVhen it is desired to close the door a slightmovement of the door will remove the points or the cam K from therecesses 1? to allow of the functioning ofthe spring 35 in deoressingthe plunger and the cam K therehy causing the latter to coact with thecam K in returning the door to closed position. During this movement,the pistons T and T descend into the cylinders D and D thus ejecting themercury from the cylinders into the container. However, be?

cause of the restricted .areaof-the ports 26' gradual and uniformclosing of the door,

This movement can be readily controlled by an adjustment of the valve 27which neces' sarily controls the [low ofmercuryi rom the" cylinders.

Should the door he openedito any position less than a right angleposition, and then released, there would be an insuflicient quan tity ofmercury within thecylinders to effect and retard the closing of thedoor. However, in order to prevent such an act-ion, the port 30- andthechannel 81 are provided which, because of their arrangement withrelation.

to the cylinder D, permitsot the-rapid in flux of mercury into thiscylinder so that when the piston is moved outwardly to any distancegreater than half of the length of the cylinders, the port 30 will beopened thus allowing mercury to flow into the cylinder from thecontainer. It will therefore be seen that a partial opening of the doorwill effect a partial filling of the cylinder D with mercury, it havingbeen found in practice that the partial filling of this one cylinder issuflicicnt to retard the closing movement of the door when the latter ismoved to any position less than a right angular position.

Although I have herein shown and de scribed only one form of hinge checkembodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes andmodifications may be made herein without departing from the spirit ofthe invention and the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I'Vhat I claim is:

l. A hinge check comprising, a rotatable cam, a. reciprocating camadapted to be ele vated by the rotatable cam, a spring pressed plungeroperatively connected to the reciprocating cam, and retarding meansassociated with the plunger to retard the down ward movement of thereciprocating cam, said retarding means comprising, a fluid container,cylinders within the container, pistons working withinthe cylinders andoperatively connected to the plunger, and valve means for controllingthe passage of the fluid in the container to and from the cylinders,said valve means including a port intermediate the ends of one of thecylinders, and a channel for effecting communication between the portand the container.

2. A hinge check comprising, a barrel, a rotatable cam and areciprocating cam sustained on the barrel, 2. fluid container within thebarrel, cylinders sustained within the container, ports and channelsformed in the cylinders at and above the lower ends of the latter,pistons working within thecylinders,

a plunger exteriorly of the container and operatively connected. to thepistons, spring "for: urging the plunger downwardly, and a pin carriedby the plunger and operatively connected to the reciprocating cam in amanner to urge. the cam downwardly with respect to the rotatable cam.

3. A. hinge check comprising, a stationary sleeve, a cam rotatablymounted on the sleeve, a second cam super-imposed with re lation to thefirst' cam and adapted to be elevated by the latter, a barrel forsustaining the cams in position, a fluid container within the barrel,cylinders within the container ports and channels for effectingcommunica tion between the container" and the lower ends of thecylinders, a valve controlling said ports, a second port intermediatethe ends of one ofthe cylinders, and a channel com municatingwith saidsecond port for ellecting communication-between the cylinder andtheeontainer at a point above the cylinders, pistons working within thecylinders, a spring pressed plunger operatively connected to thepistons, and a pin for opera tively connecting the reciprocating camwith the plunger.

4. In combination, a door and hinge check associated with the door andcomprising a stationary floor plate, a stationary sleeve upstanding fromsaid plate, a barrel secured to and upstanding from the stationarysleeve, a rotatable cam loosely encircling the barrel and supported uponthe stationary sleeve. said rotatable cam being rigidly connected withthe door, ball bearings between said sleeve and said cam, a reciprocablecam loosely encircling the barrel and coacting with the rotatable cam,retarding means arranged within the barrel and operatively connectedwith the reciprocable cam, said reciprocable cam having shoulders andcam surfaces at its upper end, and a pin connected with the door andcooperable with the inclined surfaces and shoulder of the reciprocablecam.

5. In combination, a door and hinge check associated with the door andcomprising a stationary floor plate, a stationary sleeve upstanding fromsaid plate, a barrel secured to and upstanding from the stationarysleeve, a rotatable cam loosely encircling the barrel and supported uponthe stationary sleeve, said rotatable cam being rigidly connected withthe door, a reciprocable cam loosely encircling the barrel and coactingwith the rotatable cam, and retarding means arranged within the barreland operatively connected with the reciprocable cam.

6. In combination, a door and a hinged check associated with the doorand including a stationary sleeve, a barrel secured to and upstandingfrom the sleeve, a rotatable cam loosely encircling the barrel and supported upon the sleeve, said rotatable cam being rigidly connected withthe door, a reciprocable cain loosely encircling the barrel and arrangedabove and cooperating with the rotatable cam and retarding meansarranged within the barrel and operatively connected with thereciprocable cam.

7. In combination, a door and a hinged check associated therewithcomprising a stationary sleeve, a barrel secured to and upstanding fromthe sleeve, a rotatable cam, loosely encircling the barrel and supportedupon the sleeve, said rotatable cam being rigidly connected with thedoor, a reciprocating cam loosely encircling the barrel and arrangedabove and cooperating with the rotatable cam, retarding means arrangedwithin the barrel and including a spring, a plunger coacting with thespring and a pin secured to the plunger and the reciprocating cam, saidbarrel having elongated slots accommodating the pin in its movements.

8. In combination, a door, and a hinged. check associated with the doorand comprising a stationary sleeve, a barrel secured to and upstandingfrom said sleeve, a retatable cam loosely encircling the barrel andsupported upon the sleeve, said rotatable cam being rigidly connected tothe door, a reciprocable cam loosely encircling the barrel and arrangedabove and cooperating with the rotatable cain, a spring arranged in theupper part of the barrel and plunger coacting with the spring, means foroperatively connecting the reciprocable cam and the plunger wherebyupward movement of the reciprocable cam is resisted by said spring, afluid container arranged in the lower portion of the barrel, cylinderswithin the container having ports and channels formed therein, rodsdepending from the plunger, pistons carried by said rods and adapted tooperate in the cylinders and to partake of their downward stroke againstthe action of the fluid whereby downward movement of: the reciprocablecam is resisted.

GEORGE VUILLE

